Chief Warrant Officer John Robert Hunt Jr. Usa (Ret.)

Chief Warrant Officer 4, John Hunt, Jr. USA (ret.), age 73, of Belton, TX, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 29, 2023 J.R. had a distinguished career in the United States Army Cavalry. He began his career as a Combat Engineer in Vietnam. He went to Warrant Officer Candidate School and Flight School and was the honor graduate from his flight school class. J.R. was highly decorated earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 5 Air Medals, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and many other medals. As an instructor pilot, J.R. mentored many young Aviators over the years. After retiring from the Army, J.R. entered Civil Service and was an Instructor Pilot, Director of the Flight Simulator Branch at Ft. Hood and ending his 35-year Civil Service career as Deputy Director of Aviation Operations at Ft. Hood. In his free time, J.R. was an avid Skeet shooter, earning a spot as alternate on the U.S. Olympic Team. He was inducted into the Armed Services Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame. J.R. was very competitive and worked hard to excel in any sport he undertook including Fishing, Golf, Bowling, Football and Softball. Above all else, J.R loved his family with his whole heart. He was married to Vickie (Embry) Hunt on July 11, 1981, at Hunter Army Airfield Chapel in Savannah, Georgia. J.R. and Vickie celebrated their 40th Anniversary in 2021 by renewing their wedding vows and celebrating with family and friends. J.R is survived by his wife Vickie; children, Suzette and Rapp Clark, Amber and Stephanie Hunt, John Hunt III, Kelly and Jonathan Lester, & Jessica and Cory Carlson; grandchildren, Johnie and Cheyenne Durboraw, Daycotah Durboraw, Ryan Weisenmiller, Maedene Weisenmiller, Kristen Lester, Josalynn Lester, Brittney Lester, and Chloe Southerland; great-grandchildren, Blakley Durboraw and Jaxson Durboraw; as well as a large, loving, extended family and many supportive friends and neighbors. J.R is preceded in death by his parents, John Hunt, Sr. & Emma Jo Hunt; and his brother, Mike Hunt. The family will gather to greet friends on Monday, February 6, 2023, from 5:00PM until 7:00PM at Dossman Funeral Home, 2525 North Main, Belton, TX 76513. A Celebration of J.R’s life, with military honors, will be held on Tuesday February 7, 2023 at 10:00AM at Dossman Funeral Home. J.R will be interred at the National Cemetery in San Antonio at a later date. In lieu of flowers, our family would prefer donations go to J.R.’s favorite charities. Ronald McDonald House, Samaritan Purse, and Feed My Sheep.